Number and Algebra

Surds

When applying Pythagoras theorem, we have found lengths

that cannot be expressed as an exact rational number.
Pythagoras encountered this when calculating the diagonal
ofpa square of side
plength 1 unit. A surd is a square root
( ), cube root ( 3 ), or any type of root whose exact
decimal or fraction value cannot be found.

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A

Shutterstock.com/totojang1977

for the A

n Chapter outline

n Wordbank
Proficiency strands

1-01 Surds and irrational

numbers*
1-02 Simplifying surds*
1-03 Adding and subtracting
surds*
1-04 Multiplying and dividing
surds*
1-05 Binomial products
involving surds*
1-06 Rationalising the
denominator*
*STAGE 5.3

U
U

F
F

R
R

irrational number A number such as p or

a
be expressed as a fraction
b

p
2 that cannot

rational number Any number that can be written in the

form a ; where a and b are integers and b 6 0
b
rationalise the denominator To simplify a fraction
involving a surd by making its denominator rational
(that is, not a surd)
real number A number that is either rational or irrational
and whose value can be graphed on a number line
p
simplify a surd To write a surd x in its simplest form so
that x has no factors that are perfect squares
surd A square root (or other root) whose exact value
cannot be found

9780170194662

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

n In this chapter you will:

(STAGE 5.3) define rational and irrational numbers and perform operations with surds
(STAGE 5.3) describe real, rational and irrational numbers and surds
(STAGE 5.3) add, subtract, multiply and divide surds
(STAGE 5.3) expand and simplify binomial products involving surds p
a b
(STAGE 5.3) rationalise the denominator of expressions of the form p
c d

SkillCheck
Worksheet
StartUp assignment 13

Simplify each expression.

a (5y) 2

MAT10NAWK10091

c 3(1 2w)
f k(1 2k)

81

25

100

75

72

16

50

64

32

Expand and simplify each expression.

a
d
g
j

Stage 5.3

b 4(y  3)
e 5(2a 3)

Select the square numbers from the following list of numbers.

44

c (3x) 2

Expand each expression.

a 5(x 2)
d 2(5  y)

b (4m) 3

(m 3)(m 7)
(2d 3)(1 3d)
(x 4) 2
(a  5)(a 5)

b
e
h
k

(y 1)(y  4)
(1  5p)(4 3p)
(y  3) 2
(t 7)(t  7)

c
f
i
l

(n  2)(n  3)
(3a 2f )(a 5f )
(2k 1) 2
(3m 4)(3m  4)

1-01 Surds and irrational numbers

p
p
A surd is a square root ( ), cube root ( 3 ), or any type of root whose exact decimal or fractional
value cannot be found. As a decimal, its digits run endlessly without repeating (like p), so they are
neither
terminating nor recurring decimals.
p
7 is read as the square root of 7 or simply root 7.
Rational numbers such as fractions, terminating or recurring decimals, and percentages, can be
expressed in the form a ; where a and b are integers (and b 6 0). Surds are irrational numbers
b
because they cannot be expressed in this form.

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A
Stage 5.3

Rational numbers can be expressed in the form

a
b

Irrational numbers cannot be expressed in the form

Integers
4
26
3
= 3
= 4,
= 26,
1
1
1

, 8 6
5, 2,
11
3

0.5, 71 = 7.125,
8

3
5

16% = 0.16, 1.32

6
4
11

Example

Surds

Recurring decimals
Terminating decimals

Transcendental numbers
Non-surds whose decimal value also have no
pattern and are non-recurring, for example,
= 3.14159, cos 38 = 0.7880...,
0.0097542

= 0.666 ...
= 0.833 ...
= 0.3636 ...

Select the surds from this list of square roots:

p p p p p
56 135 289 99 81

Solution

p
p
56 7:4833 . . .
135 11:6189 . . .
p
p
99 9:9498 . . .
81 9
p p
p
So the surds are 56, 135 and 99.

Example

p
289 17

Is each number rational or irrational?

p
c 10p
a 37.5%
b  4 216

d 0:26_

p
48

Solution
a 37:5% 37:5 3
100 8
[ 37.5% is a rational number.
p
b  4 256 4
p
[  4 256 is a rational number.

which is in the form of a fraction a

b

c 10p 31.415 926 54 . . .

[ 10p is an irrational number.
d 0:26_ 0:26666 . . .
4

15
_
[ 0:26 is a rational number.
p
48 6:928 203 23 . . .
e
p
[ 48 is an irrational number.

The digits run endlessly without repeating.

9780170194662

which can be written as 4

1

which is a recurring decimal

which is a fraction

The digits run endlessly without repeating.

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3

Square roots

p
p
The symbol
stands for the positive square root of a number. For example, 4 2 (not 2).
Furthermore, it is not possible to find the square root of a negative number. It is only possible to find
the square root of a positive number or zero, because the square of any real number is positive or zero.

Summary
p
For x > 0, x is the positive square root of x.
p
For x 0, x is 0.
p
For x < 0, x is undefined.

Worksheet
Surds on the number
line

Your calculator will tell you that

there is a mathematical error
p if
you enter, for example, 5:

Surds on a number line

The rational and irrational numbers together make up the real numbers. Any real number can be
represented by a point on the number line.

MAT10NAWK10092

p
 3 10  2:1544:::
3
 0:6
5
2  0:6666:::
3

Example

35_

10
2

2_
3

irrational (surd)

120%

rational (fraction)

120% 1.2
p
5  2:2360:::

rational (percentage)
irrational (surd)

rational (fraction)

p  3.1415

irrational (pi)

Use a pair of compasses and Pythagoras theorem to estimate the value of

p
2 on a number line.

Solution
Step 1
Using a scale of 1 unit to 2 cm,
draw a number line as shown.
Step 2
Construct a right-angled triangle on
the number line with base length and
height 1 unit as shown. BypPythagoras

theorem, show that XZ 2 units.

Z
2

X
0

Step 3
With 0 as the
pcentre, use compasses with
radius XZ 2 to draw an arc to meet the
number line at A as shown.
p The point A
represents the value of 2 and should be
approximately 1.4142

Z
2

X
0

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

Exercise 1-01

ustralian Curriculum

Stage 5.3

Surds and irrational numbers

Which one of the following is a surd? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

p
p
p
p
A 64
B 100
C 250
D 400

Which one of the following is NOT a surd? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
p
p
p
p
B 196
C 27
D 160
A 84

Select the surds from the following list of square roots.

p
p
p
p
400
32
125
625
p
p
p
p
0:0009
52
169
5625

Is each number rational (R) or irrational (I)?

p
p
4
b
c
a 5:6_
8

7
8

1
d 3
7
3
j
11

See Example 1

p
4:9
p
288
p
e 3 27
p
50
k
3

See Example 2

f 1:35_
p
p
l
4

p
h 271%
i
5 3 103
2
Arrange each set of numbers in descending order.
p
4 p p
_ 27
b 3 20; 2:6;
a 1 ; 2;
7
2
9
Express each real number correct to one decimal place and graph them on a number line.
p
a 14
b 74%
c 4
d  12
5
11
p

5
p
3
e  15
f 2
g
h 187%
9
2
p
Use the method from Example 3 to estimate the value of 2 on a number line.
p
a Use the method from Example 3 to estimate the value of 5 on a number line by
constructing a right-angled triangle with base length 2 units and height 1 unit.
g

10 10A

3
64

See Example 3

b Use a similar method to estimate the following surds on a number line.

p
p
10
ii
17
i

Investigation: Proof that

p
2 is irrational

A method of proof sometimes used in mathematics is to assume the opposite of what is

being proved, and show that it is false.p
This
is called a proof by contradiction.
We will use this method
p to prove that 2 is irrational.
p
Firstly, assume that 2 is rational. This means we assume that 2 can be written in the
form a ; where b 6 0, and a and b are integers with no common factor.
b
p a
2
b
a2
2 2 Squaring both sides
b
a2 2b2
2b 2 is an even number because it is divisible by 2.
[ a 2 is even.

9780170194662

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3

If a 2 is even, then a is also even because any odd number squared gives another odd
number.
If a is even, then it is divisible by 2 and can be expressed in the form 2m, where m is an
integer.
) a2 2m2 2b2
4m2 2b2
2m2 b2
b2 2m2
[ b 2 is even
[ b is even
[ a and b are both even.
This contradicts p
the
assumption that a and b have no common factor. Therefore, the
2 is rational is false.
assumption
that
p
[ 2 must be irrational.
1 Usepthe
to show that these surds are irrational.
method of proof justpdescribed

b
a
3
5
2 Compare your proofs with those of other students.

Puzzle sheet
Simplifying surds

1-02 Simplifying surds

MAT10NAPS10093
Technology worksheet
Excel worksheet:
Simplifying surds quiz
MAT10NACT00019
Technology worksheet
Excel spreadsheet:
Simplifying surds
MAT10NACT00049

Summary
For x > 0 (positive):
p2 p p
x x3 xx
p
x2 x

Example

Simplify each expression.

p2
a
12

 p2
4 7

p2
5 2

Solution

p2
12 12
 p2
p
p
b 4 7 4 734 7
p2
42 3
7
a

16 3 7

p
p
4 7 means 4 3 7

 p2
p2
5 2 52 3
2
25 3 2
50

112

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A
Stage 5.3

Summary
The square root of a product
For x > 0 and y > 0:
p p p
xy x 3 y
p
A surd n can be simplified if n can be divided into two factors, where one of them is a square
number such as 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49,

Example

Video tutorial

Simplifying surds

Simplify each surd.

p
a
8

p
b
108

p
c 4 45

p
288
d
3

MAT10NAVT10002

Solution
a

p p p
8 43 2
p
23 2
p
2 2

4 is a square number.

b Method 1
p p p
108 36 3 3
p
63 3
p
6 3

Method 2
p p p
108 4 3 27
p p
23 93 3
p
2333 3
p
6 3
p
p
Method 2 involves simplifying surds twice ( 108 and 27). Method 1 shows that
when simplifying surds, you should look for the highest square factor possible.
p p
p p p
p
d 288
c 4 45 4 3 9 3 5
144 3 2

p
3
3
4333 5
p
p
12 2

12 5
3
4 p
12 2

1
3
p
4 2

9780170194662

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3
See Example 4

See Example 5

Exercise 1-02
1

Simplify each expression.

p2
p2
2
a
b
5
p2
 p2
0:09
e
f 2 7

Simplify each surd.

p
p
a p50
b p12

f p45
g p48

k p288
l p108

242
p
q
162

Simplify each expression.

p
p
b 4 32
a 3 20
p
p
28
f
g 3 24
6p
p
k 3 48
l 10 160
4

Simplifying surds
 p2
3 3
 p2
g 3 5
c

p
c p28

h p200

m p75

r
245

p
d p150

i p96

n p147

s
125

p
c 8 72

p
40
2
p
3125
i
p10

n 7 68

p
h 9 68
p
m 3 75

 p2
5 10
 p2
h 5 2
d

p
e p700

j p63

o p32

t
512
p
243
9
1 p
j
72
2p
52
o
6
e

p
Which one of the following is equivalent to 4 50 ? Select A, B, C or D.
p
p
p
p
A 8 5
B 20 2
C 8 2
D 20 5
p
250
Which one of the following is equivalent to
? Select A, B, C or D.
10
p
p
p

p
5
10
A
B
C 2 10
D 5 10
10
2
Decide whether each statement is true (T) or false (F).
p
p p
p
p
p2
a 3 5 15
18 9
b
c
d
9:4 9:4
75 5 3
p
p
3  1:7
e
f The exact value of 10 is 3.162 277 8

Just for the record

Unreal numbers are imaginary!

There exist numbers

p that are neither rational nor irrational, so they are also not real numbers.
number,
there is no real number which, if squared,
For example, 2 is not a real
p
pbecause
p
equals 2. Numbers such as 2; 10 and 4 17 are called unreal or imaginary numbers
and cannot be graphed on a number line (that is, their values cannot be ordered).
Imaginary numbers were first noticed by Hero of Alexandria in the 1st century CE. In 1545,
the Italian mathematician Girolamo Cardano wrote about them, but believed negative
numbers did not have a square root. Imaginary numbers were largely ignored until the 18th
century when they were studied by Leonhard Euler and the Carl Friedrich Gauss.
p
p
1 is defined to be the imaginary number i, so 1 i.
p p p p
) 36 36 3 1 36 3 1 6i:
Imaginary numbers are useful for solving physics and engineering problems involving heat
conduction, elasticity, hydrodynamics and the flow of electric current.
Simplify each imaginary number.
p
p
p
a
100
b
c 4 16
25

10

6
64

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A

1-03 Adding and subtracting surds

Stage 5.3
Puzzle sheet

Just as you can only add or subtract like terms in algebra, you can only add or subtract like
surds. You may first need to express all the surds in their simplest forms.

Example

Solution

p
p
p
a 5 11 7 11 12 11
p
p
p
p
p
c 3 64 25 68 64 2
p p pp pp
d 80 20 16 5 4 5
p
p
4 52 5
p
6 5
p p p pp pp pp
e 8  27 18 4 2  9 3 9 2
p
p
p
2 23 33 2
p
p
5 23 3

Exercise 1-03

p
p
p
c 3 64 25 6
p
p
f 5 20  3 125
p
p
p
b 8 53 55 5
Simplifying each surd.

p
pp
p
pp
f 5 20  3 125 5 4 5  3 25 5
p
p
532 5  335 5
p
p
10 5  15 5
p
5 5

Adding and subtracting surds

Simplify each expression.

p
p
a 9 32 3
p
p
d
53 5
p
p
p
g 4 15  3 15 7 15
p
p p
j 4 57 5 5

b
e
h
k

p
p
11 2  8 2
p
p
5 17  5 17
p
p
p
5 62 64 6
p
p
p
8 10  5 10 3 10

p p
c 5 6 6
p
p
f 3 10  2 10
p
p
p
i 3 34 35 3
p
p
p
l 10 3  3 3  12 3

Simplify each expression.

p
p
a 5 392 3
p
p
p
c 4 3 5 2  5 3
p
p p
p
73 54 7 5
e
p
p
p
p
g 10 11  5 3 3 11 4 3
p
p
p
p
i 2 53 72 53 7

For each expression, select the correct simplified answer A, B, C or D.

p p
a
3 12
p
p
p
p
A 5 3
B 15
C 2 6
D 3 3
p
p
b 4 5  2 125
p
p
p
p
A 6 5
B 5
C  45
D 46 5

9780170194662

MAT10NAPS10094

Simplify each expression.

p
p
p
p
b 8 53 5
a 5 11 7 11
p p
p p p
80 20
8  27 18
d
e

Surds code puzzle

See Example 6

p
p
p
b 11 10  7 2  4 10
p
p
p
p
d 3 15 3 2 4 15 5 2
p
p
p
p
f 4 63 32 65 3
p
p
p
p
h
13 8 7  7 13 3 7
p
p
p
j 4 10  3 5  4 10

11

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3

Worksheet
Multiplying and dividing
surds

Simplify each expression.

p p
a
8 32
b
p p
e 3 6 24
f
p p
i 3 2 18
j
p
p
m 5 3 2 27
n
p
p
q 3 63  2 28
r
p
p
u 5p27 p675 p
27 54 243
x

p p
p p
p p
108  27
20  80
28  63
c
d
p p
p p
p p
40  90
2 5 125
g
h 5 11 99
p
p
p
p
p p
27 5 3
k
l
200  7 2
50 32
p
p p
p
p
p
3 20  245
o 7 12  5 48
p 4 27 2 243
p
p
p
p
p
p
2 98 3 162
s 5 6 2 150
t 4 50 3 18
p
p
p p p
v 3p
112 p2252 p
w p32
8p 12 p
98  3 20  2 8
y
z 3 96  2 150 24

1-04 Multiplying and dividing surds

MAT10NAWK10095
Puzzle sheet

Summary

Surds
MAT10NAPS00043
Technology worksheet

The square root of products and quotients

For x > 0 and y > 0:

Excel worksheet:
Simplifying surds quiz

p p p
xy x 3 y
r p
x x
p
y
y

MAT10NACT00019
Technology worksheet
Excel spreadsheet:
Simplifying surds
MAT10NACT00049

Example

Simplify each expression.

p p
73 5
a
p
12p
90
d
3 10

p p
6 3 14
p  p
e
54 4  2
b

p
p
c 4 3 3 10 3
p
p
f 5 27 3 3 6

Solution
a

p p p
7 3 5 35

p
p
p p
c 4 3 3 10 3 4 3 10 3 3 3 3
40 3 3
120
p
p
p
54
e
54 4 2  p
2
p
 27
p p
 93 3
p
3 3

12

p p p
6 3 14 84
p p
4 3 21
p
2 21
p
p
90
d 12p
43 9
3 10
433
12
p
p
p p
f 5 27 3 3 6 5 3 3 3 27 3 6
p
15 162
p p
15 3 81 3 2
p
15 3 9 2
p
135 2
b

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

Example
Simplify

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A
Stage 5.3

8
p
p
5 2 3p4 12
:
10 8

Solution
p
p
p
p
5 2 3 4 12 20 24
p
p 2 3

10 8
10 8

Exercise 1-04
1

Simplify each expression.

p p
a
10 3 3
p p
d
2 3 18
p
p
g 5 10 3 3 3
p  p
j 2 3 3 5 6
p
p
m 7 2 3 4 8
p
p
p 3 18 3 5 12
p
p
s 8 3 3 3 54
p
p
v 5 20 3 3 8
Simplify each expression.
p p
24 4 8
a
p
p
d 10 54 4 5 27
p
p
g 2 24 4 4 6
p
20p10

j
4 5
p
m 12 14 4 6
p p
p 5 60 4 15
p
p
s 12 63 4 3 7

Multiplying and dividing surds

b
e
h
k
n
q
t
w

p p
 6 3 11
p  p
53  5
p
p
2 7 3 5 3
p p
4 3 3 27
p
p
18 3 8 3
p  p
3 44 3 2 99
p p
8 32 3 27
p
p
7 18 3 3 24

p  p
b
30 4  5
p
p
e 3 98 4 6 14
p
128
h p
2
p
p
k 36 24 4 9 8
p
3 2
n
12
p
p
q 6 843 2
p
8 50
t p
2 200

c
f
i
l
o
r
u
x

p p
53 8
p
p
8 336 3
p
p
7 534 5
p
p
3 5 3 4 10
p
p
10 2 3 2 8
p
p
5 8 3 4 40
p p
90 3 72
p
p
3 48 3 2 12

See Example 7

p
40p14

c
5 2
p
7 18
f p
2
p
p
i 15 18 4 3 6
l

p
p
16 30 4 8 5

p
p
80 4 4 5
p
42 54
p
r
6 3
p p
u 6 3 4 243
o

Simplify the expressions below.

p p
p p
p p
73 7
a
b
c 2p3 3 3
63 6
p p
p
p
p
x3 x
d 5 y33 y
e
f
a2 3 a
p p
Simplify 3 2 3 6: Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
p
p
p
C 6 3
D 12 2
A 6
B 6 2

9780170194662

13

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3

See Example 8

p
p
Simplify 20 10 4 5 2: Select A, B, C or D.
p
p
A 4 5
B 15 5
C 10

Simplify each expression.

p
p
3 534 2
p
a
3 40
p
4 5
p
d p
2 15 3 5 27

D 20

p
p
3 12p3
8 6
4 27
p
p
10 p686
3
3
p12
e
5 28 3 18

p
p
5 83
p2 90
10 24
p
p
8 80 3 3p2
p
f
4 536 8

Mental skills 1

Maths without calculators

Percentage of a quantity
Learn these commonly-used percentages and their fraction equivalents.
Percentage

50%

25%

12.5%

75%

20%

10%

33 13 %

66 23 %

1
2

1
4

1
8

3
4

1
5

1
10

1
3

2
3

Fraction

Now we will use them to find a percentage of a quantity.

1

Study each example.

1
1
b 50% 3 120 3 120
a 20% 3 25 3 25
5
2
60
5
3
1
1
e 33 % 3 27 3 27
d 75% 3 56 3 60
4
3
3

1
9

3 60 3 3
4

1
3 32
8
4
2
2
f 66 % 3 60 3 60
3
3

1
3 60 3 2

c 12:5% 3 32

15 3 3
45
2

14

20 3 2
40

Now simplify each expression.

a 25% 3 44

b 33 13 % 3 120

c 20% 3 35

d 66 23 % 3 36

e 10% 3 230

f 12 12 % 3 48

g 50% 3 86

h 20% 3 400

k 25% 3 160

l 10% 3 650

o 20% 3 60

p 75% 3 180

i 75% 3 24

m 12.5% 3 88

33 13 % 3 45
66 23 % 3 21

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A

1-05 Binomial products involving surds

Stage 5.3

Surd expressions involving brackets can be expanded in the same way as algebraic expressions of
the form a(b c) and (a b)(c d).

Example

Expand and simplify each expression.

p p
p
pp p
3 5 7
a
b 2 11 3 11  5 2

Solution
a

5+ 7

= 3 5+3 7
= 15 + 21

Example

b 2 11 3 11 5 2
= 2 11 3 11 2 11 5 2
= 6 11 10 22
= 66 10 22

10

Expand and simplify each expression.

p
pp

p p p p
b 3  2 10
53 2
a
7 5 3 2 3

Solution

p p p p p p p p p p
7 5 3 2 3 7 3 2 3 5 3 2 3
p p p p
p p p
p
733 2  73 3 533 2  53 3
p p
p p
3 14  21 3 10  15

p
p
p
p
pp
pp
5  3 2 3 5  3 2  2 10 5  3 2
b 3  2 10
p
p
p p
p
p
3 3 5  3 3 3 2  2 10 3 5 2 10 3 3 2
p
p
p
p
3 5  9 2  2 50 6 20
 p
 p
p
p
3 59 22 5 2 6 2 5
p
p
p
p
3 5  9 2  10 2 12 5
p
p
15 5  19 2

Summary
(a b) 2 a 2 2ab b 2
(a  b) 2 a 2  2ab b 2
(a b)(a  b) a 2  b 2

9780170194662

15

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3

Example

11

Expand and simplify each expression.

p2
p p2
 p
a p7  p5p p
b 2p3 3 5 p

c
d 3 11 4 3 11  4
5 2
5 2

Solution

p p2 p2
p p p2
7 5
7 23 73 5
5
Using (a  b) 2 a 2  2ab b 2
p
7  2 35 5
p
12  2 35
 p
p2  p2
p
p  p2
b 2 3 3 5 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 5 3 5 Using (a b) 2 a 2 2ab b 2
p
4 3 3 12 15 9 3 5
p
12 12 15 45
p
57 12 15
p pp p p2 p2
5 2
5 2
5  2
c
Using (a b)(a  b) a 2  b 2
a

52
3

 p
 p
  p2
3 11 4 3 11  4 3 11  42

Note that because of the

difference of two squares,
the answer is not a surd but
a rational number.

Using (a b)(a  b) a 2  b 2

9 3 11  16
83

Exercise 1-05
See Example 9

See Example 10

16

Binomial products involving surds

Expand and simplify each expression.

pp
pp p
pp p

a
b
c
2 3 7
6 21
5 3 2
pp
p
p
p
p p p
d
e 3 2 22 3
f  11 4  5
5 3 2 5
p p p
p p

p
p
g 2 7 3 74
h 5 5 13 5
i 3 2 4 2 3
p
p p p
Which expression is equivalent to
3 2 5 5 2 3 ? Select the correct answer A, B,
C or D.
p
p
p
B 2 15 5 6
A 20 10
p
p
p
p
p
p p
C 5 6 3 10 10 2 15
D 5 5 37 74 2
Expand and simplify each expression.
p
 p p
a
53 2 5 2
 p
 p p
c 7 32 4 2 3
p p
p
p
7 2 11 3 7 4 11
e
p p


g 6 2 10 3 10  1

p pp

7 3
72
p
 p p p
d 3 2 5 5 22 5
p p
p
 p
f 5 32 2 4 33 2
p
p
p p
h
72 5 3 52 7
b

9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

p2

Which expression is equivalent to 5 7 ? Select A, B, C or D.
p
p
A 12
B 32
C 32 10 7
D 32 5 7

Expand and simplify each expression.

p p2
p p2
7 2
b
a
5 3
p2
 p
 p
2
e 5 23 3
f 5 72

Expand and simplify each expression.


p
p
p pp p
b 5 3 5 3
a
3 2
3 2
p
p

p pp p
c 62 7 62 7
d
5 3
5 3
 p
 p

p pp p
e
f 5 73 5 73
11  10
11 10
 p p p p
 p
p p
p
g 3 2 5 3 2 5
h 4 25 3 4 25 3
 p
p p
p
Which expression is equivalent to 5 2  4 3 5 2 4 3 ? Select A, B, C or D.
p
p
p
p
A 25 2  16 3
B 10 2 10 6
C 2
D 26

10 10A

Expand and simplify each expression.

 p
2
a 3 75
 p
pp p
c 2 73 5
5 7
 p p p p
e 4 2 3 4 2 3

p
2
c
52
p2
 p
g 3 22 5

Stage 5.3
See Example 11

p2

d 3 10
 p p2
h 2 5 3

 p
p

5 24
25
 p
2
d 4 35
 p p2
f 3 10  2
b

Investigation: Making the denominator rational

p
2  1:4142; what is the value of p1 ? Fractions containing surds in the denominator are
2
difficult to work with. When approximating the value of p1 ; it is difficult to mentally divide
2
by 1.4142. We can overcome this by making the denominator rational (that is, not a surd).
1 What happens when we multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the
same number?
p
2
1
a Simplify p 3 p :
p
2
2
p
2
b Mentally approximate the value of
; given that 2  1:4142:
2 p
2
c Check, using a calculator, that p1
: Why is this true?
2
2
p
7
2 a Is it true that p3 p3 3 p ? Why?
7p 7
7
7
3
b Simplify p 3 p : Compare your answer with those of other students.
7
7
p
3
7
3
c Check, using a calculator, that p
:
7
7
p
p
p
3 5 3 5
2
d Explain why p p 3 p :
2
2
2
p
p
3 5 3 10
e Show that p p :
2
2
If

9780170194662

17

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Surds

Stage 5.3

1-06 Rationalising the denominator

Worksheet
Rationalising the
denominator
MAT10NAWK10201

p p
3 5 7
1
3
Surds of the form p ; p ; p ; p ; have denominators that are irrational. These expressions may
5 2 7 2
3
be rewritten with a rational denominator by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the surd
that appears in the denominator. This method is called rationalising the denominator.

Example

12

Rationalise the denominator of each surd.

p
8 2
5
b p
c p
a p3
3 5
4 3
2

p
2p
1
3

Solution
p
p
3
3
2
2
a p p 3 p
because p 1
2
2
2
p2
3 2

2
p
3
2
3
3
3
Because p
; it is easier to approximate p by mentally multiplying by 1.4142
2
2
2
2
than by dividing 3 by 1.4142.
p
5
5
3
b p p 3 p
4 3 4 p3
3
5 3

4p
33
5 3

12

Exercise 1-06
See Example 12

18

p
p
p
8 2 8 2
5
c p p 3 p
3 5 3p5
5
8 10

3p
3
5
8 10

15

p
p
p
21
21
3
p p 3 p
d
3
3
3
p p
6 3

Rationalising the denominator

By rationalising the denominator, which surd is equivalent to p2 ? Select the correct answer
6
A, B, C or D.
p
p

p
2 6
6
6
B
C
D
A 2 6
3
3
6
Rationalise the denominator of each surd.
1
a p1
b p1
c p1
d p3
e p2
f p
3
7
7
3
2
2
p
p2
p
5 3
3
2
2
1
1
7
p
g p
h p
i p
j p
k p
l
4 5
3 5
2 3
3 5
4 7
2 6
p
3
Which surd is equivalent to p ? Select A, B, C or D.
2 5
p
p
p
p
15
15
A
B 2 15
C
D 5
10
3
9780170194662

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S A D V A N C E D
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

10 10A

p
27
Which surd is equivalent to p ? Select A, B, C or D.
3 18
p
p
p
5
2
A 1
B
C
D 6
2
6
6
2
Rationalise the denominator of each expression.
p p
p
p
p
1 5
5 3
2 3
2p
1
p
p
p

b
c
d
a
5
2 2
2
3 6
Simplify each expression, giving the answer with a rational denominator.
p
2
3  p1
b p p3
c p
a p1 p1
2 3
5
3
7
2
2

Stage 5.3

Power plus
1

2
3

p
3

1
1
p2 ? Explain.
p
p 3
a Is it true that
3 2
3 2 3 2
p
1p 3 3  p2 : Is the denominator rational?
b Simplify
3 2
3 2
c Use a calculator to check that the value of your answer to part b is equal to the
1p :
value of
3 3
p
p
The conjugate of 3 2 is 3  2: Find the conjugate of:
p p
p
p
p
7 3
a 52 3
b 2 3
c
d
51
The process shown in question 1 involves rationalising a surd with a binomial
denominator. By first finding the conjugate of the denominator, rationalise the
denominator of each expression below.
p
2
1p
2 p
b p
c p 1 p
d
a
2 3
52 3
51
7 3

The largest cube that can fit into a sphere must have its eight
vertices touching the surface of the sphere. Express the side
length, s, of the cube in terms of the diameter, D, of the sphere.

Squares are formed inside squares by joining the midpoints

of the sides of the squares as shown. If AB 4 cm, find the
exact length of the side of the shaded square.

Six stormwater pipes, each 2 mm in diameter, are stacked

as shown in the diagram. Find the exact height, h, of
this stacking.

9780170194662

19

Chapter 1 review

n Language of maths
Puzzle sheet
Surds crossword
MAT10NAPS10202

approximate

binomial

denominator

difference of two squares

expand

irrational number

perfect square

product

Pythagoras theorem

quotient

rational number

rationalise

real number

root

simplify

square number

square root

surd

undefined

1 Why do you think a rational number has that name?

2 What is the difference between a rational number and a real number?
3 What is a surd?
4 How do you simplify a surd?
5 Why is p an example of an irrational number that is not a surd?
6 How do you rationalise the denominator of a surd expression?

n Topic overview
Copy and complete this mind map of the topic, adding detail to its branches and using pictures,
symbols and colour where needed. Ask your teacher to check your work.
Surds and irrational
numbers

Simplifying
surds

Adding and
subtracting surds

Multiplying and
dividing surds

Surds

Rationalising the
denominator

20

Binomial products
involving surds

9780170194662

Chapter 1 revision
1

Which one of the following is a rational number? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
p
p
B 39
C 2 5
D 2p
A 1 25

See Exercise 1-01

Is each number rational (R) or irrational (I)?

p
8
b 22
a
7
p
p
e
f 3 125
81

See Exercise 1-01

c 0:56_
p
g 3 8

p
d 3 5
p
h 5 3

Simplify each surd.

p
72
a
p
e 3 150

p
98
b
p
f 7 28

p
c
275
p
g 4 288

p
d
128
p
h 5 45

p
i 7 48

1 p
24
2
p
n 2 225
5

p
k 2 3125
3
p
o 2 162
3

p
m 2 44
4

Simplify each expression.

p p
200 18
a
p
p p
p
c 7 32  27  2 98 4 75
p
p
p
p
e
800  2 243 3 72  2 27
Simplify each expression.
p p
p p
b
83 5
33 7
a
p p
p p
72 4 12
d
e
5 3 11
p
p
p
p
g 8 42 4 2 7
h
125 4 5 5
j

See Exercise 1-02

p p
18 3 3
p
12

p p
6 3 24
p
k p
27 3 2 3

Expand and simplify each expression.

p p
a 3 22 2  3
p p p
p
c 3 5  2 73 7 5
p p
e 5 3 22
p p
g 3 4 74 7  3
Rationalise the denominator of each surd.
b p3
a p1
10
2
p
5 3
3
d p
e p
4 3
3 2

9780170194662

1 p
32
2

See Exercise 1-03

p p
p
b 3 5 50  2 125
p
p
p
d 4 45  3 63 5 80
p
p
f 7 44  2 99
See Exercise 1-04

p p
c
63 8
p p
98 3 7
f
p
75
i p
3 3
p
p
4 90 3 7p
8
p
l
5 32 3 6 10
See Exercise 1-05

b
d
f
h

p
p
101  5 2
p
7  42
p
p p
p
3 7  2 53 7 2 5
p p
p
p
5 10  3 22 10 5 2
See Exercise 1-06

1
p
5 7
p
4 p 2
f
3 2
c

21